Geared flexible shafting.



Patented Nov. 20, I900. E. B. COLLINS.

GEARED FLEXIBLE SHAFTING.

No. es|,9'54,

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.

( 0 ModeL) UNTTEE STATES PATENT @EETQE.

EDSON B. COLLINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GEARED FLEXIBLE SHAFTING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 661,954, dated November 20, 1900. Application filed December18, 1899. Serial No. 'MILGQB. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may cmwerh: 7

Be it known that I, EDSON B. COLLINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Geared Flexible Shafting, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in geared flexible shafting in which a bevel-gear hanger works in conjunction with shafting carrying flexible knuckle-joints; and the object of my improvement is to provide a device by which a power may be more efficiently conveyed by means of a shaft from one body or mechanism to another and still allow within limited distances perfect freedom and independence of motion between the two bodies or mechanisms-as, for example, between the bed, which may be on springs, and the running-gear of a motor-vehicle. I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus, showing one side of the box inclosing the bevel-gear hanger K removed. The base of one mechanism is shown at O. The bearing supported by the other mechanism is shown at X. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the box, showing the guide-bars I I engaged in the bevel-gear hanger. Fig. '3 is aside view illustrating a modified form of the bevel-gear hanger K, showing a support by means of pivots L L in place of the guide-bars I I.

Similarletters referto similar parts throughout the several views.

The shaft A, connected with the source of power,passes out through the bearing B,which is inserted in the base-plate O of the carriagebed. This shaft A is attached to any suitable flexible knuckle-joint D, which, together with the shaft- A, is incased in the box formed by the end pieces E E and the side pieces F F. This box is securely bolted to the carriagebed by the bolts H H, and the lower ends of the side pieces F F are securely held by the bolts G G.

To the inner surface of the side pieces F F are securely attached guide-bars I I,which are curved to form an are having a radius revolving around the point of deflection provided by the flexible knuckle-joint D.

Suspended from and in conjunction with the grooves J J and guided by the guide-bars I I is the bevel-gear hanger K, or the support of the bevel-gear hanger K may be modifled by omitting the guide-bars I I and extending the sides of the bevel-gear hanger K up to allow of their being pivoted to the sides F F at the points L L, so that their swing will be around the point of deflection of the flexible knuckle joint D as a center, the idea in either form being to allow this bevelgear hanger K to swing in but one plane and to take the twisting strain resulting from the operation of the bevel-gears O P on the side pieces F F.

The shaft M is attached to the lower end of the flexible knuckle-joint D and passes through the bearing N, which is inserted in the bevel-gear hanger K. The bevel cogwheel 0 is securely attached to the lower end of the shaft M and engages the bevel cogwheel P, which in turn is securely fastened to the shaft Q. This shaft Q is securely held in position and at the proper angle with the shaft M by the two bearings R and S, provided in the bevel-gear hanger K.

One end of the shaft Qis securely attached to the flexible knuckle-joint T, which in turn is securely attached to the shaft U, which in turn is securely attached to the flexible knuckle-j oint V, which in turn is securely attached to the shaft W. This shaft W is supported and held in position and caused to move with the body to which the power is to be appliedas, for example, the running-gear of a motorvehiclcby the bearing X and by appropriate gearing conveys the power directly to this mechanism.

Itwill be seen that we may have within certain limits perfectly free and independent motion between the two bearings B and X thus connected by this shafting and gearing.

I am aware that flexible kn llGklG-j oints have been used to provide a flexible shaft and that bevel-gears have been used to change the direction of shafts, and I do not claim either of these or the mere combination of them as my invention; but v I do claim as my sole and original invention 1. In a device adapted for connecting two mechanisms having relatively independent motions, the combination of a bevel-gear hanger, a box attached to the frame of one of the mechanisms, circular guide-bars attached to the sides of said box and confining said hanger to a swing in one plane only, two shafts which pass out through bearings provided in a hanger, a bevel-gear on each of said shafts, a flexible knuckle-joint connected to one of said shafts through which connection may be made to one mechanism, said joint being located at the center of swing of the hanger, and two flexible knuckle-joints connected to the other of said shafts through which connect-ion may be made to the other mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2. In a geared flexible shafting, the combi- 

